What are your outlets/hobbies?

[SjoGirl]

I'm really struggling with a number of things. My health situation is not dire, just one thing after another then another then another.

I finally broke down in tears this afternoon on my way home from taking a sample to a lab. I've been sick all week and was supposed to travel today to present at a major conference. I had to delay my plans to have testing done and screwed up the test so only have half of it done because I'm so tired of it all.

So back to my question, when I get into my self pity party or sad moods my husband tells me that I need an outlet. I read more than I have for years and started doing puzzles. I got a knitting kit for Christmas and need to have someone show me how to get started (there are multiple knitting groups in town, I work multiple jobs so haven't made it to one).

What do you do to find joy and pleasure? What hobbies do you do that you can do despite your illness?

[grammad97]

My outlet is getting  to start layering different types of paper, images, sticks, etc and creating collages. I also color stamped images with colored pencils or water color.
It helps me relax and free myself from stress, negativity and pain.
I am happiest when I have glue and color on my hands.
It's good for my mental and physical health.
All of that aside I still need to vent or have a pity party for myself before I move on some times.

[sunflower]

My outlet is publishing a newsletter for patients with my type of leukemia.  It allows me to be creative and keeps me mentally challenged (well, ok - challenged cerebrally!) as I read medical articles.  It also puts me in touch with people in a variety of countries of the world.  If someone is lonely or overwhelmed with a diagnosis (as I did when I was diagnosed), I offer them some tips and a connecting hand.  It is strictly a volunteer effort and I agree, volunteering is deeply satisfying and rewarding.

I love to walk outdoors and meditate as I enjoy God's creation.  Doing Sudoku is wonderfully relaxing for me.  My husband and I share them - he does the hard ones.  Our little black-with-white Shih Tzu-something-cross, Oreo (a.k.a. Cookie), keeps us company at home.  Then there are the teenage granddaughters not far away who try to keep Grandma young!

My husband volunteers as well.  We enjoy traveling when we can and visiting our children.  We feel very blessed and thankful for the health and the lifestyle we have.  I have two chronic, incurable diseases but I am able to rest when I need to.  I feel sorry for those who struggle with their health while they still need to work outside the home, and I admire them as they bravely carry on.

[Joe S.]

I do not do a lot any more. I still read some magazines and journals. Occasionally, I will build something. It may be electronic or it may be with wood. I used to code software and web pages. My book on complementary alternative medicine is done. I would like to build an ultralight lifting body that could carry two plus luggage. Currently that seems an impossible dream.

[susanep]

I don't get out much as I use too, but I do like re-potting some of my flowers that have been in during the winter, and pruning a couple of my bushes in the front yard. They are small so not a lot of work. I have always loved working with flowers. It's mentally relaxing to me.

I also have been sewing a lot, but in small spurts at the machine except I can work on hand sewing while watching tv. I have increased my skills in doing different little projects, that has prepared me for bigger ones as in making a queen size quilt. I also like to crochet, and love to hand embroider.

I love the time I spend with our 3 fur babies (doggies). I feel fortunate when I observe how animals always hold in their bad days. I enjoy watching the birds outside.

My son had got us both a little fire kindle for Christmas he found on sale, so we both at times play little games on them where we strive to go to a higher level, and that gets our mind away from things.

I visit my dad at the nursing home when I can. I always feel better after seeing dad.

I have learned from some other ladies on line how to create fabric post cards. I had never even heard of making them like that or thought you could actually send someone a post card that way. It is so fun, and takes very little to send it to someone. I have a little basket of them now of different themes from others around the U.S. and one country.

I guess I try to do what I can that is a new positive in my life than what I use to do years ago now. I am thankful for each one too.

On the quilting board I was on there was a lady most got to know, and she stayed busy making little quilts as in little mats bigger than a coaster would be with a top batting in between and a back just like a bed size quilt, but little. She was on dialysis for the past 5 years waiting on a kidney transplant. It never came, due to other health issues she wasn't high up on the list. She recently passed away, but stayed cheerful and busy sewing on some small level until she was in hospice, and too  weak to do anything else.

So I am thankful for each day, but I still need to vent at times like everyone, because after all we are all human with human emotions and they can build up in the best of us.

Hugs,
susanep

[SjoDry]

I love this question. It made me realize that I do still enjoy hobbies & have interests. I think I forget that sometimes.

I think I have mentioned before that my husband & I own a small sign and graphics company. We have the capacity to make a lot of products besides just signs. So when we first downsized from our big house to a condo a few years ago. I decided that it would be fun to infuse some art projects into our home decor that we have the ability to make at work.

I have created a handful of art pieces that we printed on canvas. We just added frosted vinyl (a bamboo image) to a window to make it look like etched glass. We created our own custom wallpaper for a downstairs bathroom. One of my business blog posts features all of these pictures.

The most recent project was a "wall wrap". You know when you see cars driving around & they have text & images all over them? In our industry, we call that a "Vehicle Wrap". Basically, we can wrap just about any surface if it is wrappable.

We live in an old condo that needs a lot of updating. We have a downstairs laundry room with ugly, white concrete block for the walls. We decided to "wrap" the wall, instead of hiring an expensive contractor to remodel the room. I found an image I liked of stacked stone. We adjusted the image size to fit the wall panels. We printed the panels, laminated them for protection & then applied them to a wall with a heat gun. It is a huge difference. Obviously, it does not look as great as a contractor remodel would..but it is no longer the creepy, downstairs room that no one wants to go into. :-D

I am attempting to put an attachment here to the page on our blog that has a picture of it. If it does not bring up the picture ...page down to the title: It's A Wrap. You can see the before & after.
http://vitalsignspgh.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2016-01-04T11:25:00-08:00&max-results=5&start=5&by-date=false

I enjoy that my work involves creativity..in spite of my ever present brain fog...my creative genes are still in tact.

SjoDry

[meow]

Reading a lot, and writing a novel. It's almost finished. Maybe I'll get lucky and in 2017 my outlet will be the book circuit.

[SjoDry]

Meow,

I too like to write. I did not realize how much until I started my Sjogren's Blog. I recently decided I wanted a place for all of my writing to live. I have this idea that I would like to write when I retire..if I'm not dead.

I just created a website (and taught myself how to make the website). My new writing site is called: http://humorme.lol/    (Humor Me.LoL)

I will have my random writing; access to my Sjogren's Blog (SjoDry And Parched) and hopefully more writing.

What is your book about?

SjoDry

[Scottietottie]

I go to a couple of community chirs who are more interested in people having a good time - than being able to sing - which in my case is just as well!

I also like scrap-booking and making cards.

I watch a lot of TV.

[Carebear]

I walk my dog buddy every day, and more often than not, I meet folks along my route.  We will stop to chat for a while, share a laugh, and many have inspired me with their life experiences.

I once loved gardening and yard work, still do, but can no longer manage to do very much.  Being in nature always does my soul good.  Bird watching is a favorite activity of mine.

I am writing a graphic novel with my grandchildren.  Or rather, they are writing and drawing.  I guide them and perform the technical support.

[angeldancer]

I love this question.  I hope to make a quilt with a machine that I have had for about 3 years.  I bought it and right after got very sick.  Never used so I am feeling the need to use it.

I also would like to see every beach in California. Thats my bucket list since the ocean is what has given me so much peace during such a difficult journey. There are approximately 239 beaches in California...wow I am up to the challenge.  I believe I have seen between 40 and 50 already.  I'm going to make my list.

I like to play scrabble with my son but wished he would play other board games with me. I also like puzzles and wished I had a puzzle table. 

If I had money I would make a very special garden for myself.  I am looking into how I can build the things I need myself.  It would be my peaceful spot in the house. 

I needed this question to show me I could think and process and plan something peaceful for me to do.

Thanks
angeldancer

[Sleepy In Seattle]

Horses, dogs, reading (especially history and historical fiction), gardening (when weather cooperates), volunteering (with some horse groups).

It always seems there are more worthwhile tasks than I have energy for. I guess that's good - makes for a full life. When my body won't cooperate, I sit down and read or watch a good documentary or drama on TV.

I try to take pleasure in what is around me - whether it's good food, people I love, ideas, or just laying on the floor cuddling my dog. I don't know what's coming down the road for me, so I try to appreciate what's good in every day. Some days it's more of a challenge than others, but I always try....not because I am a naturally optimistic or easygoing person - I'M DEFINITELY NOT - but because I have found that it is what makes me happiest. It's a discipline, but it also gives me strength.

[meow]

Meow,

I too like to write. I did not realize how much until I started my Sjogren's Blog. I recently decided I wanted a place for all of my writing to live. I have this idea that I would like to write when I retire..if I'm not dead.

I just created a website (and taught myself how to make the website). My new writing site is called: http://humorme.lol/    (Humor Me.LoL)

I will have my random writing; access to my Sjogren's Blog (SjoDry And Parched) and hopefully more writing.

What is your book about?

SjoDry

The book is about a teenage girl whose father was killed in Iraq. She is a lucid dreamer like he was. In one of them her father arrives and tells her that her little brother is in danger from a program he'd been involved with. It's based on the MK Ultra Program that brought us" Men Who Stare At Goats." She has met this lovely hunk of a young man who also has a missing father. I don't want to give away much, but it takes place in a fictional small town in New Mexico, the lead characters are part Native American, and together they battle an unexpected enemy.

[SjoDry]

Oh Meow,

It sounds wonderful. I love that the characters are part Native American as I am as well. I admire that you can write a book..I am not sure I would ever have the attention span for it..and thanks to Sjogren's ..no memory. Ha.

Good for you. I would love to read it some day.

Good luck.
SjoDry

[meow]

Well, I sure hope you can, too! 

I didn't think I had the stick-to-it-ness to actually do it, especially with a full time job and all of my family responsibilities---all trying to ignore the SJS. But I think it will be finished this summer.

I'll check out your blog.